I wish I had used a second strobe to light the background and bring some more separation between the subject and the shadows, but I was using my 2nd SB-800 as a commander. I can't wait for my SU-800 to arrive!

Taylor - I find these type of shots are difficult to pull off. The transition from highlight to shadow is tricky. Of the three, I prefer the first - but I would like to see the shadow detail lifted. Maybe a slight ceiling bounce (1/32 or so) camera right.

I wish I could be of more help but i always struggle with this lighting balance. Maybe use a neutral density filter sideways?

Thanks for your comments Jack! Do you mean the transition across his face? Or between the subject and the background?

I wasn't really looking to do even lighting for these ones. I think the shadows across his face add more dimensionality to the images and brings out the facial structure a lot more than flat even lighting.

I wasn't really looking to do even lighting for these ones. I think the shadows across his face add more dimensionality to the images and brings out the facial structure a lot more than flat even lighting.

Click to expand...

It's a matter of subject and style. Personally, I like very high ratio of main to fill for masculine subjects...

Thanks for the comments Paul. I see your point how the lighting wouldn't work for all situations. It produces a very simple image that I seem to like. Maybe it reminds me a bit of film noir, and it certainly isn't a technically perfect image like people have said.

Next time I'll try using a white board to fill in the shadows a bit more. I don't think using a second light will have the same kind of soft lighting effect that I'd want.

Granted, these photos weren't very well planned (hand held softbox and I forgot the flash bracket too, so I could do better in that department :smile and I'm sure if I had the time I could produce something much better.

Thanks for all the comments, it's really helpful to hear what other people think!

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